Is an expansion of mass transit in Gwinnett County’s future? That’s one of the questions that may be answered by a new study Gwinnett officials have commissioned.
Last week the county requested proposals (see the PDF file here) from consultants who can help Gwinnett plan for its long-term transit needs.
Currently, Gwinnett County Transit offers limited local bus and paratransit service, plus five express bus routes to Atlanta. But as Gwinnett's population booms and becomes more diverse, there is growing pressure for more transit options in Georgia's second-largest county.
Last spring the county held a series of public meetings as it studied its long-term transportation needs. A new transportation plan is expected to be finished next spring. But Gwinnett wants a deeper look at its mass transit needs.
Among other things, the request for proposals issued last week indicates the county wants to know about:
*Potential new transit markets and underserved areas of the county.
*Whether the county transit service should merely react to growth trends or help shape regional growth.
*Whether mass transit should play a bigger role in providing congestion relief.
*The amount of money would be needed to achieve the county’s mass transit goals.
If a big expansion is coming, Gwinnett officials have suggested that bus rapid transit – rather than rail service like MARTA – might be the most cost-effective mode.
Any final decisions may be put to voters, though that's not likely to happen any time soon. If and when it does, County Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash wants residents to have cost and other information about the alternatives so they can make informed decisions. The new study could provide that information.
About the Author
